Reviews

The metalcore scene is saturated with acts that are more or less the same; uninventive, carbon copies of the bands that preceded them. There is a lot of fight for attention and musicianship – with talent have being pushed aside in favour of style and predictability, but with bands like Texas In July, there is still hope that the real heart and soul of the genre can win through.

As with all previous releases, Bloodwork shows that the band is still able to write fun …

When you see a band name like Barren Womb, and you then find out they are a Norwegian “noise punk” band, how can you not want to listen to their new album? Let me tell you, what I was expecting out of The Sun’s Not Yellow, It’s Chicken and what I got are two very different things. As it turns out, this is one of the most experimental punk albums I have heard in years.

The Dome at the Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford, CT is a venue that provides a much more intimate setting akin to a small club show, rather than the spaciousness of a large theater like the main area of the Oakdale. While the stage – and room – set up was certainly unique, after the two openers Nightmare and the Cat and Smallpools (which included a surprise appearance by the Neon Trees frontman, Tyler Glenn, to help hype everyone up), the crowd, practically on top of …

After numerous member changes, a short lived hiatus, one member moonlighting in Maylene and the Sons Of Disaster and their It Hates You album in 2011, North Carolina’s He Is Legend have unleashed Heavy Fruit, their second for Tragic Hero Records.

He Is Legend have a firm grasp on their take of stoner rock, with alternative and metalcore influences, but with tracks like “Bethozart” that throw you a bizzare vibe unlike anything bands like Mr Bungle have released, it’s not hard to see that the …

While Denton, TX’s Flesh Born could be briefly described as a screamo band, their newest EP Han does a great job of confounding anybody with a flair for simple classifications. The blistering vocals, crunchy production, and melodic riffing may keep the four-piece’s feet firmly planted in their genre’s roots, but it’s the real variety of sounds and colors weaving in and out in these songs that makes it all such a fun listen.

Until We Are Ghosts – the Rochester, NY five-piece, not the debut album by William Fitzsimmons – have released their first full length album, Bitterseed. This album marks a nice extension and progression from their previous EP that tells of a story of a band with a clear direction they are headed. The only thing that I can’t quite figure out about these guys is whether they are progressive hardcore punk or melodic post-hardcore that has a strong connection to their roots. Either way, I’m …

Emerging from Charlotte, NC, Fragments is the debut full-length from Bruised But Not Broken, out now on Standby Records. Fragments follows the standard metalcore release pattern of a ten track full-length, but this is a pretty good release. There is some very interesting technical guitar work as well as some experimental electronic sound styles in their backing tracks. The vocal mix is a blend of clean and dirty that seems to be very well balanced.

Currently making waves on the Vans Warped Tour, pop-punk foursome Four Year Strong just released a new EP, Go Down in History, out now on Pure Noise Records. Compared to the bands previous records, and their seeming obsession with infamy in the music world and references to movie titles – at least via song titles (see “Heroes Get Remembered, Legends Never Die” and “Maniac (R.O.D.)”) – the 5 new songs seem appropriately titled.

Formative punk rockers Rise Against released their latest album, The Black Market, earlier this month – landing them on the Billboard Top 10 for the 4th consecutive time; a phenomenal statement of the band’s commercial success, especially considering the band’s committment to their roots. Their progressive style of punk rock has kept that at the top, pioneers of the genre.

The Black Market comes a full three years after their previous release, but the wait was surely worth it. The incredible success of the album …

Pedals, the sophomore effort from Austin foursome SPEAK, out now on Playing in Traffic Records, has been getting rave reviews since it’s release – and for good reason. The album is a musical roller coaster, taking you on all the twists and turns and loops – all without that pesky motion sickness.

The album’s synth-infused sounds remains fresh and new throughout the 14 tracks, all without being forced upon you – balancing the white space between foreground and background. Back-to-back songs “Mystery Lights” and “Nightlight” …